Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-19

fore. been a member of the National Legis-
latnre for over twenty-four years, and no
member of that body has q better record.
-.
The public life of Senator Allison IS
known to a great majority OF the intelli-
gent people Of the United States. His pri-
waite life is equally interesting. He has
made his home in Dubuque ever since he
located in Iowa thirty years ago. He owns
o modest looking brick house in o. Brien's
row, in an attractive portion of the city.
A prominent citizen of Iowa said to me
few days ago: Senator Allison is pre-
eminently pleasant man, socially and In
every other way. He is cordial without
being Extensively familiar, and though q
man of great personal dignity and self re-
spect, he never permits those characters,
tics to interfere with his friendliness and
kindliness. He is easily apprOachable by
all, and has the happy faculty that Chester
A. Arthur possessed in so large degree OF
making a caller entirely at home in his
presence. He never tries to impress his
greatness upon yOu, but meets you ON
common footing, thus imparting feeling
of ease and confidence. Socially, Senator
Allison Is one of the most popular men
in the country. In Dubuque he IS a
great fayorite, and when out in soel-
ETY. he enters heartily into all the d.
versions Of the hour, and apparently enjoys
them as much as the humblest person
present. He is most charming converse
tionalist. He has rich, magnetic voice,
and a black eye that wrinkles meTiiy
and rolls around very drolly when he is
saving something rather dry but witty.
The people in Dubuque are always glad to
see him at their homes, for he honOrs and
enlivens any company he joins. L am
told that he will even play blind mans
buff with the children when that game IS
proposed. In fact he will take part IN
the heartiest manner in any social game.
He is very fond of whist, and is always
delighted to sit down with good players
for q quiet little game. He IS an ex-
pert at . whist. Mr.. Allison is very
liberal and public spirited, taking an &C
tive interest in every movement Tor the
of Dubuque. He Is very
and gives away great deal OF
money. One of his friends at Dubuque
told Inc that Allison would never he a
rich man, because he was too generous
with his friends, helping them out of tinan-
cial straits when he really was not able.
-
For the past year or two Senator Allison
has rented his house in Dubuque, reserV-
ing, however, his library and one or two
other rooms for his own use. He has no
immediate family, being widower with
out children. Mrs. Allison died in the au-
tumn of 1888 She was lOyable woman,
charming in disposition and character, and
having a beautiful face and attractive form.
She was somewhat younger thar Mr.. AIN
son, and retained all the beauty OF her
youth. Her acquaintance all say that
she bore 4 striking resemblance to Mrs.
Cleveland. She was the adopted daughter
of the late United States Senator Grimes,
whose widow survives, and makes her
home, at least portion OF 1t, with Senator
Allison.
The death Of Mrs. Allison was terrible
blow to the Senator, who was most de-
voted husband. He was always very at
tentive TO her, so much so indeed that III
Washington it was frequently observed,
"What lover-like husband Senator ALI
son isl The loss of his wife Is subject
that his most intimate friends will not
refer TO in his presence. The manner OF
her death was indeed sad. She suddenly
became afflicted with mental arrangement
during political campaign in which the
Senator was engaged to make several
speeches, and while he was away from
home she drowned herself. He abandoned
the campaign, being stricken down with a
grief so great that it was feared for time
that he would retire from public life for
ever.
~
Senator Allison is by no means rich
man. He may be said to be in fairly COM
Portable circumstances. His money IS ln-
vested principally in real estate and bank
do not think he is worth over
500, 900. A well posted friend of Senator
Allison estimated bis fortune at not over
$50, 600. The summer vacation two years
ago he spent in Europe. Last summer he
in Washington. This summer
ne will probably stay most of the time IN
Dubuque, He intends, as am told, to
I'll